The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
