The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
