The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
