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.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press