India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars 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 does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
