India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
