The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
