India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
