The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
