The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
