India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
