India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
