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, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
