The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
