India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
