India's unexpected 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 gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
