The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
