India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
