India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
