The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
