India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman 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 well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
