India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
