The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent 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 momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
