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 loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
