The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
