The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
