India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
