India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
