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, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
