India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
