The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
