The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure 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 - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
