India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
