India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
