India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider 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 more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
