India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent 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 momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
