India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
