The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure 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 several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
