India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
