The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
