The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed 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 challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
