India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
