The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
