India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
