India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
