India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
