The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest 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 play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
