India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
