The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
