India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
