India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
