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, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
