India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
