India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
