The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
