India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
