India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press