India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
