The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
