India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
