India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
