India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
