India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
