India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
