The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
