The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked 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 momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
