India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
