India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
