The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
