The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
