India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
