India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
