India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
