The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest 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 positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
