India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win 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 winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
