India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
