India's shocking 0-2 loss 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 loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
