The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
