India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
