India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
