The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
