The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
