India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
