India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
