The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
