The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
