India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
