The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
