The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press