The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
