The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. 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 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
