India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
