The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
