The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
