The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
