India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
