The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
