India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
