The Indian cricket team's unexpected 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 loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
