The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
