India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
