India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
