India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, 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 casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
