The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
