India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
