The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
