The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
