India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
