India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent 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 built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
