The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
