India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
