The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press