India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
