The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
