India's surprising 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 a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
