India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately 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 pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
