India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
