The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
