India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
