India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
