India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
