India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
