India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
