The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
