India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades 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 all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
