The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
