India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
