India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
