India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
