The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
