India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
