India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
