India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press