India's shocking 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 inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
