India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
