India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like 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 looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
