The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings 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, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
