India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
