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.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
