The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
