The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
