The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
