India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, 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 win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
