India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
