The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
