India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
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 do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press