The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
