The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
