The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
