India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
