India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
