The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look 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 help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
