India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press