The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as 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 aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
