India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
