The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
