India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press