India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test 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 South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
