India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
