India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory 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 winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
