The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press