The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
