India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
