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 their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
