India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But 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 significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv 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.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
