The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
