India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
