The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, 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 local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
