India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
Eva de Vries is a passionate book lover and local writer from Eindhoven.
