India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
