The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
