India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
