The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
