The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
