The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
