India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent 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 positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
