The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented 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 a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
