The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
