India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
