India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
