India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
