India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
