The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
