The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press