India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
