India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
