India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor 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 performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
