India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
