The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
