The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
