The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
