India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
