The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
