India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
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 train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
