India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
