The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
