India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
