The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
