The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's 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 winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
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 helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
