India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
