India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters 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, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
