India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
