India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
