The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
