India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas 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 counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
