The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
