India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
