The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
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 went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
