The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
