India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
