The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
