The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated 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?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
