The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
