India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
