The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing 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 up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
