The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
