The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
