India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed 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 present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
