The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
