India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
