India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
