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.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
