India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
