India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions 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 aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
