The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
