The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
