The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
