The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, 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 India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the 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 New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
