The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat 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 devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
