India's unexpected 0-2 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 a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
