India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
