India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
