The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and 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 - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
