India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
