India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times 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 favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
