India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
