India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
