India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
