India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
