India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies 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 leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority 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
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
