India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
