The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' 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 almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
