The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
