India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
