India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
