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 inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
