India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
