India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
