The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team 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 red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
