The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
