India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India 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.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
