India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
