India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
