India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. 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 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
