The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
