India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
