The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. 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 England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
