India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
