India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
