The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
