India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
