The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
