India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
