India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
