The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
