The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
