India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
