The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
