India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
