The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
