India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
