India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable 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 failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
