India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
