India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
