India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
