The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
