The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
