India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
