India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
