India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
