India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
