India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. 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 almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing 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 fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
