India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly 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 hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
