India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
