The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
