The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, 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 casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
