India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
