India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh 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 spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
