India's surprising 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 defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
