The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
