The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why 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 regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
