The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
