India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
