India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
