India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
