India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
