India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
