India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty 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.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
