The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth 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 diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
