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 handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
