India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
