India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
