The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
