India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
