The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, 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.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
