India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
