The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
