India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
