India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
