India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
