The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
