The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
