The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and 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 position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
