India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
