The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces 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, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
