India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
