The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test 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. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
