The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
