India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
