India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
