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, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
