The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish 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 Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
