India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, 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.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
