India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
