The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
