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 South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
