The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
