The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
