India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
