India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
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 - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
