The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
