India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
