India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
