India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
