The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
