The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
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 failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv 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.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
