India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
