The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings 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 rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
