India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
