The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
