The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph 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 winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
