The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the 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 fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
