India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
