The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
