India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
