India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
