India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
