India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
