The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh 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 spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
