India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
