India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
