India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
