India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
