India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up 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 ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
