India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
