India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
