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 a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
