India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball 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 endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
