India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
