India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
