The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
