The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
