India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
