The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
