India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
