India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified 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 starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
