The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
