The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
