The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
