India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
