The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home 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 prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
