The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
