India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice 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 support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
