The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
