India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
