The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
