India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
