India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
