India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
