The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies 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 leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
