India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
