The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman 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 display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
