The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early 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 display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai 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 lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
