The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
