India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
