India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed 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 identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv 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.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
