The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
