India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
