The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
