India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
