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 inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
