India's unexpected 0-2 defeat 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, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
