India's surprising 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 a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
