The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
