The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
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 nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
