India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
