India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
