India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
