India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India 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 past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
