The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century 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 almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
