India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
