India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
