India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
