India's unexpected 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 loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
