India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players 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 was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
