India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members like 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 spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
