The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
