India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
