India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
