India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
