India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
