The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
