India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
