The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
