India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
