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 handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
