The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
