The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
