India's unexpected 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 handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
