India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, 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 a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match 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 South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
