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, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
