The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
