The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
