India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
