India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
