India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
