India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
