India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press