India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
