India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
