India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
