The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
