India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces 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.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
