India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
