India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
