India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
