India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
