The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
