India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
