The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, 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 lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
