India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
