India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
