The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
