The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
