India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
