India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated 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 huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
