India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
