India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
