The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
