India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
