India's surprising 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 handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
