India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
