India's shocking 0-2 series 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 Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
