The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
