India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
