The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
