India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
