The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
