The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
