India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
