India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
