India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
