India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
