India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
