The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
