The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
