The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
