India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered 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 place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
