The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest 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 the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
