India's unexpected 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 defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters 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. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
