India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as 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 faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
