India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss 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 a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
