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.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
