The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
