India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory 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 winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
