India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
