India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
