India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India 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 positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered 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 participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
