India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
