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 gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
