India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
