India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
