India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar 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.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
