India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
