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, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
