India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh 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 aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
