India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
