India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
