India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
