India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
