India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest 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 India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
