India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
