The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
