The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
