India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players 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 challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
