The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
