India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
