India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
