India's unexpected 0-2 defeat 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 defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' 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 built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
