The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
