India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
