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, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, 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 unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
