The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
