India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
