India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory 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 winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
