India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents 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 local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
