India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, 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 represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
