India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
