The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
