The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
