India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
