India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
